‘Mr. Throwback’ Recap: ‘The Only Way Out Is Through’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

MR. THROWBACK -- "The Only Way Out Is Through" Episode 104 -- Pictured: (l-r) Layla Scalisi as Charlie, Adam Pally as Danny -- (Photo by: George Burns Jr/Peacock)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Mr. Throwback’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When we last settled in to enjoy, and discuss, the phenomenal Peacock series, Mr. Throwback, it truly seemed as though the jig was up for Danny Grossman. After all, Stephen Curry revealed to the world that Charlie Grossman was… ‘sick’… and that of course was something she heard live and well, there was no way she would stand for that, right? For children are pure, children understand right from wrong and want nothing to do with the sins of their parents. Or so we are led to believe. Since that surprise led to one incredible decision on Charlie’s part, along with other surprises in the next episode of the show, the kind that showcased once again… why people lean into hard lies that benefit themselves.

Feats that ‘The Only Way Out Is Through’ accomplished, by shocking us out of the gate. In that, Charlie was in fact… good with the lie. Because she quickly came to understand what it would do for her standing, and the benefits it could send her way. So, she leaned into it, took full advantage of it and just like that, the Grossman family was everywhere, and they were raising awareness for uh… an illness that didn’t exist yet. But this was a fine reminder that given the chance at the right age to have it all, a kid will take it and enjoy every single second of it and well, this newfound joy from Charlie led to fresh scrutiny regarding the lie. Because Kimberly had questions, a lot of them in fact.

Because something about this whole mess, including how quickly Charlie was everywhere and embracing the limelight made her think that perhaps… Danny was indeed lying hard. So, she pressed Danny and did everything she could to try and expose the truth about this. To no avail of course, because Danny pushed back and won the day. In part out of pride but also because of the lesson at hand. Which in this instance, explored how… a lie can bring people that haven’t had joy and opportunity, a slice of happiness. The kind that is intoxicating and infectious and well, Danny truly enjoyed seeing his daughter in the limelight and embracing the attention and awe she was receiving. So, he absolutely battled it out to keep that going for her.

But while we’ve spent several episodes now learning about the nature of why, regarding the nature of the lie, one particular truth about them we’ve yet to see on display… is how they begin to crumble and well, this episode offered up the bare beginnings of that. In part because an attempt from Mitch to reconcile plunged him into the lie and helped him to understand that he created a generational nightmare and that might have pushed him to drink again, and that could help begin to shatter the walls of the lie due to the impact its now had upon someone who is remorseful. And of course, we also came to learn that the lie is not sustainable and that its allure doesn’t last forever. Because popularity and attention mean nothing when they aren’t earned. So, Charlie decided she had enough of the lie, and Sam even went so far as to have Dr. Josh test Charlie’s blood to well, expose it all. Because it had run its course.

All of which informed us, it is only a matter of days now before the house of cards that Danny has built will come crumbling down. Because of what took place here from his family and because… lies always collapse. For the truth does prevail. But while we wait to see how that happens, we can celebrate one brilliant and thoughtful tale. One that truly explored reasons we don’t think about when it comes to why people lie, along with a fine understand of how honesty begins to win the day. Plus, the laughs were as stellar as ever thanks to Stephen Curry again. Whose side hustles here were just amazing through and through and well, now that we’ve reached seemingly the end of the lie, it’s time to hit play on the next episode and see what accountability looks like and how Danny will handle it. Until next time.

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